Tourism agency says weak competition will work for us

VisitScotland's chairman claimed the tourism industry is proving one of the most resilient in Europe as he urged businesses to capitalise on the economic problems being suffered in the likes of Portugal, Spain and Ireland.

Mike Cantlay urged hoteliers to be increasingly "aggressive" about targeting new business to help Scotland and talk up the affordability and ease of holidaying in Scotland compared to the "hassle" of travelling overseas.

Mr Cantlay, pictured, said there was growing evidence Scotland was outperforming the rest of the UK.

He has predicted boom years ahead if hoteliers and operators capitalise on strong exchange rates for holidaying in the UK, new and revamped visitor attractions opening their doors, the staging of the London Olympics and Commonwealth Games in the UK, and the next year of Homecoming.

He told The Scotsman: "I think we are one of the most competitive nations in Europe at the moment.

"There are huge opportunities out there to exploit, we have new facilities like the refurbished Royal Museum and the Riverside Museum opening, 1000 new hotel rooms are being built in Glasgow over the next three years, and we shouldn't forget the extension to the EICC in Edinburgh."